This cohort — women humanitarians joining from Berlin, Kyiv, Lebanon, North Macedonia, Albania, Uganda and other countries — arrived to the virtual room carrying layers of responsibility, emotional exhaustion, political tension, and the weight of their frontline work. And still, with every session, something meaningful began to shift.
Across the group, women shared insights that revealed just how powerful online ESD can be:
• Several participants spoke about discovering the importance of physical practice, realizing they needed body-based skills just as much as verbal ones, and that combining the two deepened their awareness and preparation.
• Others described how movement helped regulate overwhelming emotions, especially on days marked by fear, distress, or anxiety linked to conflict and humanitarian crises.
• A powerful recurring theme was the idea of “confidence without violence” — understanding that ESD is not about harming others, but about posture, voice, limits, and presence that prevent escalation.
• And despite being online, many expressed a strong sense of solidarity, supporting one another, sharing experiences openly, and even planning to practice together offline when possible.
One woman reflected on how she had never experienced a physical confrontation in this way before, and that the training helped her understand her instinctive reactions while developing skills she had long wished for. Another shared that after a difficult day marked by tears and exhaustion, the session “refreshed my body” and restored mental clarity. Others highlighted how empowering it felt to use their body intentionally, as a tool for boundaries and inner strength.
These are not small reflections — they reflect real transformation.
Online ESD works.
It crosses borders.
It supports women who cannot join in person.
It strengthens those who often feel isolated in their humanitarian roles.
Most importantly, it offers practical, embodied tools — emotionally, verbally, and physically.
This programme, supported by the Bosch Alumni Network, stands out for its holistic blend of:
• Empowerment Self-Defense
• Wellbeing and health sessions
• Community-of-care circles
• Small grants for self-care initiatives
It is a model that honors the whole person — and ESD complements it as a powerful pillar for safety, prevention, and confidence-building.
As we move through this 11-session journey (June–December 2025), I see how each module strengthens the next. These women are learning to care for themselves, uplift one another, and protect their wellbeing in a world where the demands on them never stop.
I am deeply honored to bring Empowerment Self-Defense into this space — and even more inspired by how strongly it resonates, even online, even across continents, even in the hardest of times.
Together, we are building a community rooted in care, skill, and strength — one session at a time.
— Gentiana Susaj
Senior ESD Instructor & Head of ESD Europe / ESD Albania
Human Rights Advocate & Women Humanitarian Supporter
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